Luke 19:34
And they said, The Lord hath need of him.
Original Language Analysis
οἱ
G3588
οἱ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
1 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Ὁ
G3588
Ὁ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 8
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
κύριος
The Lord
G2962
κύριος
The Lord
Strong's:
G2962
Word #:
5 of 8
supreme in authority, i.e., (as noun) controller; by implication, master (as a respectful title)
αὐτοῦ
of him
G846
αὐτοῦ
of him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
6 of 8
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
Historical Context
In first-century Palestine, rabbis occasionally requisitioned animals for religious purposes during festivals. However, the phrase 'the Lord needs it' would carry special weight if the owners were disciples who recognized Jesus's messianic claim. The fact that they released a valuable animal (donkeys were expensive) on a simple word shows extraordinary trust or recognition.
Questions for Reflection
- What possessions are you holding too tightly to release when 'the Lord has need' of them?
- How does this episode challenge Western notions of absolute private property rights?
- What does the owners' immediate release of the colt teach about recognizing Christ's authority in everyday transactions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And they said, The Lord hath need of him (ὁ κύριος αὐτοῦ χρείαν ἔχει, ho kyrios autou chreian echei). The disciples deliver Jesus's message verbatim, and remarkably, this simple statement suffices. The owners release the colt without further objection, suggesting they either knew Jesus personally, had been prepared beforehand, or recognized the messianic implications of the request. The economy of the exchange—no negotiation, no payment, just the Lord's need—demonstrates Christ's authority.
This terse reply encapsulates the Christian life: all we own is His, and His need is the ultimate claim. The phrase would later echo in the early church's practice of holding possessions loosely (Acts 4:32). When the Lord truly needs something, ownership yields to lordship. The owners' immediate compliance models the proper response to Christ's sovereignty over all we claim to possess.